A hope that seemed almost absolute when the first sound I heard on the other end was a vicious growl, making me both grin and respond with a dry…
“Draven”
Chapter 22
Friend, Old Foes
“About fucking time!” Dom snapped on a growl, telling me he was already at seething levels. Of course, hearing me call him by his last name wouldn’t have helped, I thought with a grin. This was something only his wife called him, and he knew instantly the point I had made, for he was no longer my fucking King to kneel to, and I could therefore call him whatever the fuck I wanted to!
But just as I was known for my unsettling and deadly calm, he was known for his temper. So, his reaction was nothing new to me and highly predictable.
“It’s good to hear from you too,” I said dryly.
“Cut the bullshit, Luc, and just tell me what time my daughter arrives!” Oh, now this made me really grin and gave me a depth of satisfaction like you wouldn’t believe.
“I fear you’re mistaken, old friend, for if someone gave you the impression she would be on a flight heading your way, then I will find the guilty party responsible and demand an apology on your behalf.” I said and then pulled back the phone in preparation for the roar of his demon that was to ignite. Naturally, he didn’t disappoint and my smirk turned into a full on grin.
“Don’t fucking test me, Vampire, I want my fucking daughter!” Dom roared again and in that moment I would have liked nothing more than to have informed him that she was my claimed Electus and for him to fuck off and take it up with the Fates!
But then I knew that to do such at this juncture would do more harm than good, as I may not only be declaring war but doing so by putting Amelia in the middle of it. Besides, I refused to go behind her back in that way unless it was beyond all reasonable doubt that it had to be done. And unfortunately for me, right in this moment that was not a claim I could make.
“Calm the fuck down, Dom, and uncurl your wings. Amelia is fine and unharmed.”
“She is…” he started to say and again I snapped, interrupting him with a growl of my own words,
“She is safe and that should be your only concern right now considering the shit storm you brought down on her thanks to that fucking box!” I threw at him, knowing that I was using what would essentially be his guilt as my weapon here. Oh, and did it ever fucking work!
“Like I fucking knew that would happen!” was his frustrated argument.
“Yes, and lucky for you, my friend, I took it upon myself to continue protecting her, even when I found her sneaking into my fucking club and trying to steal the fucking box back.” I informed him knowing Amelia would be pissed but it was this or the truth.
“She did what?!” he shouted in disbelief.
“Oh yes, my friend, that daughter of yours can be quite cunning.”
“Gods, but what the fuck was she thinking?!” he snapped and I frowned, disliking this comment and before I gave it thought, I snapped back,
“Perhaps she was fucking thinking of others before herself and ignoring the dangers her actions possessed in order to try and aid us in deciphering the fucking thing!” A moment of silence was all it took to realise my fuck up. This was confirmed with her father’s voiced opinion.
“Now that is a curious thing,” Dom said making me bark,
“What!?”
“Why you would feel the need to defend her, someone who tried to steal from you no less?”
Fuck!
Damn it, for I let my emotions get the better of me without thinking. I could only hope that my recovery was a believable one, for Amelia’s sake if nothing else.
“What can I say, Dom, her brazen actions and reasons behind them endeared me to her cause.” Dom scoffed at this and muttered something about getting soft in my old age, a comment I chose to ignore, because well, I was fucking his daughter so didn’t think there was anything he could say right now to beat that fact.
“Besides, when I discovered that she had been targeted…”
“What the fuck do you mean, targeted?!” he barked interrupting me this time.
“Multiple kidnap attempts have been made, Dom.” I told him, letting him know how serious this situation was.
“WHAT THE FUCK?!” he roared again, as I knew he would. Gods, but like I said, he was a predictable bastard.
“Why by the Gods…”
“It is obvious, Dom, they wish to use her as a bargaining chip to get the box, which considering what it is and who I am sure you are well aware it will effect, would be a bad thing.” He growled knowing exactly what I meant by this, seeing as he stood to lose his Chosen One, should anything befall me. But what he didn’t know was that he stood to lose both of the woman in his life, for Amelia was also tied to my soul and not just from being my Chosen One.
But that was my pain to bear.
My secret.
I shook these thoughts from my mind to focus on the problem at hand, that being an overbearing father.
“I can protect her here,” I told him firmly, before continuing,
“I think we both know that Königssee is the better option. Besides, I can’t risk trying to get her to you without another attempt being made,” I said knowing that I was about to completely twist events and play them to my advantage, something I was a fucking master at.
After all, I always got my way.
“What attempt! Was she hurt?” he demanded.
“Check Munich news and you will see for yourself,” I told him knowing what he would soon find but as usual with Dom, he had no fucking patience, something I was counting on.
“I want to hear it from you, Luc!” he snarled anxiously.
“Very well, as you wish.” I said playing the age old King.
“First they hit the club,” I informed him, knowing this would come as a surprise.
“Fuck! How bad?”
“Bad enough that it is barely still fucking standing!” I snapped because well, the thought of it pissed me off!
“Who?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“I have my theories and have my people working on discovering the source but what we do know is that Rogues are banding together and using the mortal society Skull and Bones as a financial front. Hundreds of mercenaries have been hired and not enough of them have died yet for my liking. Which is precisely why I will not risk them getting Amelia,” I told him.
“You sound very protective there, Luc, do I have something else to fucking worry about here?” he asked coming right out and saying it!
Yes, you fucking do.
“No, you fucking don’t, other than I am not particularly fond of the idea of handing over my life in exchange for hers and risking the lives of an entire race I rule over…you fucking getting me now?!” I growled making him scoff but not reply with anything more.
“And the Rogues, how is it you haven’t dealt with them yet?” Alright so this was the part of the conversation I didn’t exactly relish in divulging, as neither would he if ever in my shoes, for no king as powerful as we are would be in a rush to admit a weakness in our armour. And unfortunately, this was a big fucking weakness in mine.
“They have a grade six witch.” At this he hissed,
“Impossible.”
“I witnessed their strength of will firsthand, Dom, I assure you the threat is real,” I replied in annoyance.
“Fuck!”
“My sentiments exactly, which makes the Rogues immune to me being their Sire and exerting my will,” I said, telling him something he knew already.
“Hence why you are pulling your people in,” he surmised, obviously having his lackies keeping tabs on my movements still. Well, at least he hadn’t yet lost his edge and grown soft in the last thirty years!
“And why I am amassing my armies, yes,” I added, knowing it would give him food for thought.
“You believe this will lead to war?” he asked in surprise and I ran a frustrated hand down the back of my neck and said t
ruthfully,
“The fuck if I know, Dom, but what would you do if you were me?”
“The fucking same. Alright, you have my loyalty,” he said shocking the shit out of me!
“I do?”
“This is my wife and daughter we are talking about, of course you fucking do!” he snapped in irritation and I could imagine why. For him to grant me his loyalty meant giving me rights to the use of his army also and that most certainly tipped the scales in our favour big time.
“And what of Theo and his people?” I asked, knowing the strength in that force alone was enough to make the difference. After all, he was as strong as his father, even if not as ruthless as his twin.
“Now I know more I will set up a meeting, call in the table of Kings.” Dom agreed.
“And what of…”
“Don’t.” Dom said cutting me off, knowing of whom I would ask about next.
“So, no changes there I take it?” I enquired sincerely.
“With a demon inside of him stronger than my own and one to battle against daily, what the fuck do you think?!” he snapped and I released a sigh.
“We did all we could, my friend,” I offered wondering why the fuck I did. Although I did feel somewhat responsible seeing as he had been placed in my care.
“Yes, and maybe one day it will be enough,” was Dom’s reply in return, for I knew that he struggled as any father would.
“And his whereabouts?” I asked for I was curious.
“Last I heard from my source, Japan and lost in the masses as he prefers,” he replied somewhat bitterly as was understandable.
“He always did,” I scoffed knowing this firsthand seeing as I had been his mentor.
“Are we done?” I asked after some extended and awkward silence.
“Can you assure me she is safe there and can’t be reached?” Dom asked and had he known who she was to me then he would have known how insulting this question was. For you never questioned the ability of a master over his Electus. But he didn’t. Which was why I bit back the snarl of anger and instead, threw at him a bitter sting of the past,
“You tell me Dom, did you manage it with Keira?!” At this he growled low and menacing, warning me,
“Be careful, old friend, for you will not like the outcome of reminding me of such a time!”
“As is the same for you, old friend…” I said mocking his words with a hiss and continuing on,
“…So, I suggest not questioning my abilities again!” At this point I hung up and did so with enough control left, that I wasn’t the one who ended up crushing my phone in my hand or throwing the fucking thing against the wall! But in all honestly his words had hit a nerve, because she had been reached and I hadn’t been the one to save her, for she had saved herself, twice over!
To say this knowledge didn’t sit well with me was a fucking Hell sized understatement and was the reason why last night when finding her not in my bed next to me, I had lost my fucking temper with her. Something I knew I needed to control if my plan at making this a home for her would work. Which reminded me, it was time to check on my girl.
“Ruto, get everyone back in here,” I said into my phone after first calling him, for I needed to tie up a few loose ends. Minutes later and my council found themselves spread out in the different chairs in my office once more.
“So, how did it go?” Ruto was the first to enquire.
“Mainly as expected, although he has offered me his loyalty,” I told them fully expecting the array of shocked expressions.
“Wow, they must be wondering why there is suddenly a blizzard happening in Hell,” Clay commented making all but Hakan chuckle, as he rarely ever did. Liessa was the only missing party as I had put her on an assignment of shopping for a dress for Amelia. There was an annual ball coming up that was one I refused to postpone, despite Clay’s suggesting I do and regardless of his growing concern.
But it was one I held every year for my kind and this year by letting it continue to happen would end up being a show of strength to my people. For the slight sign of weakness seen in their King was not ever an option.
“How are preparations coming along for tomorrow night?” I asked and just as Clay was about to speak once more, I held up my hand and stopped him.
“Save it Clay, it is happening. Now tell me.”
“I have tripled security and at your request, I’m having your witch flown in from Norway,” Clay replied quickly giving up on trying to talk me out of it. I knew of his apprehension, being my head of security, this naturally came with the territory. But seeing as there was no chance at any Rogues entering my home without my knowledge, then I didn’t see the harm in continuing on with the yearly celebration. Even if its reason made me want to roll my eyes and tear my hair out for how ridiculous its cause was.
“And our people?” I went on to ask.
“They started to arrive as of last night once we put out the call but most will be here before the ball,” Ruto answered this time as he was in charge of keeping track of the comings and goings of my sired. Reason enough why the mention of Rogues was one that irked him especially.
“And what of the state of the guest accommodation?” I asked, aiming my question at Percy this time who had been put in charge of making sure everyone was situated where they needed to be.
“Iith hasth all been takkken care ofth, Stthhire,” he answered, with his nervous stutter adding to his lisp and catching on the word taken. I nodded and then looked at the time, seeing now that Amelia had gone too long without being checked on, but with some things left to do I had no choice but to give the order,
“I need someone to go down to check on my Chosen.”
“I will do it,” Caspian said first before all others and rose to his feet. I raised a brow in question to which his reply was a clipped,
“I’m your enforcer, not a fucking party planner.” Then he bowed a head and left the room with the heavy pounding of his steps.
“I am almost inclined to push it upon him next year, just to see what it is he would plan if forced to,” I commented making the others chuckle.
“My guess, it would be bloody and barbaric,” Ruto said grinning.
“Sounds like a good night out to me,” Clay remarked making me grin and reply now with quiet contemplation,
“Indeed.”
Because let’s face it, if there was one thing I could do with after this last week and that was breaking somebody until beaten and bloody. Which was why I said,
“Then next year, fuck the masks, gladiators will be our new theme.”
Naturally, everyone in the room agreed.
A short time later Caspian entered my office, making my blood boil at the fucking sight.
“EVERYONE OUT!” I roared making everyone leave pretty damn quickly. But before the door closed behind Clay, he said before leaving,
“Err, good fucking luck mate.” Then closed the door and left me to prove that there would be no such luck for him on this day!
“Tell me you did not just do what that blood on your forehead tells me you fucking did!” I all but roared.
“It had to be done,” Caspian said making me growl low and dangerously. I took a deep breath and rose to my feet, demanding in a seething tone,
“Fucking kneel!” To which Caspian did without question. I then walked over to him and in my anger grabbed the wiry hair that was knotted on top of his head and tugged it back on a snarl to see for myself the evidence of the vow he had made.
“It is done,” he said again and I growled down at him and bared my fangs seeing only the barest of flinches from him. Then I threw his head forward as I let go, making his head bow down, his long pointed beard now touching his chest.
“Get the fuck up and sit your ass down!” I snapped walking back to lean against my desk as he did as I commanded.
“Why?!” I snarled.
“It is the way of my people, I had no choice,” he explained without regret.
“And the reason y
ou didn’t first ask my permission?” I asked with a bite of anger, very close to losing my shit seeing as I knew what he had done.
“Because you would have prevented me, and I would have had no choice but to obey your rule. This way, you couldn’t stop me,” he said being honest even without needing to be, for I already knew this to be the reason.
“So you thought to vow a soul of life on my Chosen One!!” I shouted.
“It is my…”
“Don’t you dare fucking say it again, Caspian, for I will hurt you if you do!” At this he released a deep sigh and said,
“She protected what was mine, my demon would not have found peace without it, you know this, Luc.” Caspian said, now appealing to me not as his King but as his friend. I, too, released a sigh and found myself slumping down in a chair, dragging a hand through my hair.
“You of all people remember what my demon was like before her,” he said, reminding me of more testing times, for he was right, Caspian was, well sometimes a fucking rule within himself. He was a loose cannon and had been made to come to heel more times than I could fucking count before he had hunted his wife.
But still, I wouldn’t let him off so easily.
“And if I had done the same to Liessa, without seeking your permission, what then?” I asked trying to maintain my cool and at least try and see if anything good could come of this.
“I would have had no choice but to accept it.”
“Yes, no choice indeed as you gave me!” I snapped before he grunted a snort and said,
“Permission to speak, Sire,” I rolled my eyes and snapped,
“Just fucking speak it, Caspian, before I lose my shit and make you bleed!”
“I would now die for your Queen should she need saving, which let’s face it, Luc, she is a fucking disaster magnet on legs.” I growled at this and warned,
“Watch your tongue, enforcer.”
“Luc, she jumped out of a fucking helicopter after shooting the fucking pilot, I think the past speaks for me.” I fucking hated that he was right and instead of agreeing, kept my silence for I wasn’t exactly in a rush to agree with him.
“Is it really that bad knowing one of your own would lay down their life for the girl?” he asked making his point as no, it was not. But the real reason for my anger was because it was my job to protect her and up until now, well, it felt as if I had done a piss poor job at it!
Blood Of Kings (Transfusion Book 3) Page 23